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Laser Treatment For Toenail Fungus Shows Promise

By Gloria Mason


Onychomycosis, also called a fungal infection of the toenails, results in the latter becoming hardened and thick due to the presence of fungi. It also causes crumbling at the edge of each nail, which can be tender and painful to the underlying skin. Laser treatment for toenail fungus is one of the newest therapies designed to eliminate this embarrassing and uncomfortable condition.

Such infections may manifest first as small white spots that eventually start to spread. Gradually, the affected area encompasses the entire nail. The fungus may grow on just one nail, or infection can involve multiple toenails. This fungus is often difficult to eliminate, and in numerous instances it appears to have disappeared, but reoccurs in the future. As previously mentioned, laser therapy is a new approach to treating an infection of this type, and numerous individuals have realized success with this procedure.

Fungi are microscopic organisms that thrive in dark, warm, moist surroundings. For this reason, many people contract such infections near public swimming pools or showers that they share with other individuals. The fungi responsible for causing the infection is called a dermatophyte. The latter enter the toenail through tiny openings where the nail separates from its bed.

Toenail fungus affects more males than females, although it is not yet known why this is the case. Infections of this type are also more common among older people than younger individuals. Again, researchers are not quite certain of the reason for this phenomenon.

To date, there are two kinds of laser treatment that can be performed on those afflicted with the aforementioned condition. The first is patholase. However, due to lack of evidence of beneficial results, the United States FDA has not yet approved the treatment.

Nomir laser therapy is another option for those suffering from the aforementioned condition. Although this treatment is also awaiting FDA approval, studies are overwhelmingly positive with regard to its success rate. In preliminary clinical trials, 85 percent of participants had an improvement in their condition within six months of completing the treatment. Additional studies are underway concerning this type of therapy.

A laser is a concentrated beam of light, and when directed to the infected tissue, it vaporizes the latter after several treatments. Various wavelengths are used in order to treat each area selectively, based on the severity of the fungi growth. The heat from the light beam kills the fungus and does not damage the tissue surrounding the infection. In addition, there are virtually no side effects associated with such treatment.

The procedure takes about half an hour and can be performed in the office of a general doctor. It typically takes 3 sessions to administer enough wavelengths to eradicate fungi. It is not necessary to place the patient under anesthesia, as he or she will typically feel nothing during the process.

Laser treatment for toenail fungus can be performed on essentially anyone. No incidences of adverse reactions have yet been reported, and both nail polish and footwear can be worn immediately following the therapy. Anyone who is interested in this procedure should schedule an appointment with his or her primary health care practitioner for an evaluation and advice.




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